Phalaenopsis orchid plant named &#39;PHALCUWIM&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘PHALCUWIM’, particularly characterized by yellow flowers with yellow-white lip, 2 to 3 peduncles, a short and sturdy inflorescence, a narrow obovate leaf shape, and propagated by tissue culture is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Phalaenopsis Blume

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘PHALCUWIM’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPhalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceaefamily, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘PHALCUWIM’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 60 species of herbaceousperennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable forcultivar in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantlyepiphytic or rock dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the MalayArchipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy,oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodialgrowth), which vary in size from 12 to 20 cm to over 60 cm. The leavesmay be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in thehorticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for theflorist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home orinteriorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often withmany showy flowers which open in succession beginning with thelowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; thelateral ones being alike. The lowermost petals, called the labellum, isthree-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flowersegments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow,and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexualpropagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which arisefrom the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants aredetached from the mother plants and may be planted in a suitablesubstrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘PHALCUWIM’ is particularly characterized by itsattractive and unique yellow flowers, economical propagation by tissueculture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging andshipping to the market, and suitable for both 9 cm and 12 cm pot size.

‘PHALCUWIM’ is a product of a planned breeding program conducted inBleiswijk, The Netherlands.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘PHALCUWIM’ originated from a cross made in June2003 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands. The female parent is a yellowPhalaenopsis pot plant name ‘01-0272’ (unpatented), while the maleparent is a white Phalaenopsis pot plant named ‘01-0863’ (unpatented). Asingle plant was selected in June 2006 and has been asexually reproducedrepeatedly by tissue culture in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands over a 6-yearperiod. The new variety has been found to retain its distinctivecharacteristics through successive asexual propagations.

Asexual reproduction of ‘PHALCUWIM’ by tissue culture was firstperformed in May 2009 in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands and has demonstratedthat the new cultivar is firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have been applied for in Europeon Jan. 15, 2013. ‘PHALCUWIM’ has not been made publicly available orsold anywhere in the world more than one year prior to the filing dateof this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Bleiswijk, The Netherlands.

1) Yellow flower with yellow-white lip;

2) 2 to 3 peduncles;

3) Inflorescence is short and sturdy;

4) The shape of the leaf is narrow obovate; and

5) Plants are propagated by tissue culture.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new Phalaenopsis plant is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographs which show the overall plant habit including blooms, budsand foliage of the plant; the colors shown are as true as can bereasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. Thephotographs are of a 40-week old plant grown in a greenhouse inBleiswijk, The Netherlands in May 2013.

FIG. 1 shows the overall plant habit, including blooms, buds and foliageof ‘PHALCUWIM’.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up of the flower of ‘PHALCUWIM’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of the leaves of ‘PHALCUWIM’.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctivecharacteristics of ‘PHALCUWIM’. The data which define thesecharacteristics were collected from asexual reproductions carried out inBleiswijk, The Netherlands. The plant history was taken on 40-week oldplants which were planted from tissue culture in 9 centimeter pots andgrown in a greenhouse between 27° C. to 29° C. for 20 weeks, continuedby a cooling period of 8 weeks between 18° C. to 20° C. and 12 weeks ina greenhouse of 21° C. Observations were made in May 2013. Colorreadings were taken under 4000 till 6000 lux natural light in thegreenhouse. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart ofThe Royal Horticultural Society of London (R.H.S.) (2001).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

-   Classification:    -   -   Family.—Orchidaceae.        -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis Blume.        -   Common name.—Phalaenopsis.        -   Variety name.—‘PHALCUWIM’.-   Parentage:    -   -   Female parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-0272’ (unpatented).        -   Male parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘01-0863’ (unpatented).-   Propagation:    -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.-   Plant:    -   -   Crop time (time to produce a finished flowering plant).—38            to 40 weeks for a 9 cm pot and 48 to 50 weeks for a 12 cm            pot.        -   Growth habit of inflorescence.—Standard type, green leaves            and panicle.        -   Height (including pot, including inflorescence).—30.0 cm to            40.0 cm.        -   Width (measured from leaf tips).—25.0 cm to 30.0 cm.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.-   Roots:    -   -   Root description.—Grey-green — colored roots with light            branching lateral roots having grey-green — colored root            tips.-   Leaves:    -   -   Mature leaves.—Quantity per plant: 5 to 6 leaves are            produced before flowering Length (fully expanded): 14.0 cm            to 16.0 cm Width: 6.0 cm to 7.0 cm Shape: Narrow obovate            Apex: Mucronate Leaf blade angle with the petiole: Between            15 degrees and 30 degrees Leaf margin: Entire Color: Upper            surface: RHS 147A Lower surface: RHS 137B to 200A Texture:            Smooth Thickness: 1.8 mm Venation: Pattern: Parallel Color            of the midvein: Upper surface: RHS 187A Lower surface: RHS            200A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Quantity per plant.—2 to 3.        -   Number of flowers per peduncle.—10 to 20.        -   Length.—25.0 cm to 35.0 cm.        -   Diameter.—about 0.4 cm.        -   Strength.—Strong.        -   Aspect.—Upright.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Brown (RHS 200A).        -   Internode length.—50.0 mm to 70.0 mm.-   Inflorescence description:    -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, panicle            inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open            in succession beginning with the lowermost flower.        -   Inflorescence size.—Height (from base to tip): 60.0 mm to            100.0 mm Diameter: 110.0 mm to 130.0 mm.        -   Flowering time.—First flowers can be expected 7 to 8 months            after planting in a 9 cm pot and 10 to 11 months after            planting in a 12 cm pot.        -   Flower.—Height: 55.0 mm to 60.0 mm Diameter: 60.0 mm to 65.0            mm Depth of lip: 18.0 mm to 20.0 mm.        -   Flower longevity.—On the plant: 10 to 12 weeks.        -   Fragrance.—Absent.        -   Petals.—Arrangement: Open Shape: Semi-circular Apex:            Mucronate and symmetric Margin: Entire Length: 26.0 mm to            28.0 mm Width: 27.0 mm to 29.0 mm Color (when fully opened):            Main color: Yellow (RHS 8D) At the base: Yellow (RHS 8D).        -   Dorsal sepal.—Shape: Elliptic Length: 30.0 mm to 32.0 mm            Width: 20.0 mm to 22.0 mm Color (when fully opened): Main            color: Yellow (RHS 8D) At the base: Yellow (RHS 8D).        -   Lateral sepals.—Shape: Ovate Length: 19.0 mm to 21.0 mm            Width: 29.0 mm to 31.0 mm Color (when fully opened): Main            color: Yellow (RHS 8D) At the base: Yellow with a touch of            green and red shade (RHS 8D, 1D, 48A).        -   Labellum (lip).—Margin: Entire Length: 16.0 mm to 18.0 mm            Width: 14.0 mm to 16.0 mm.        -   Lateral lobe.—Shape: type IV Color: White with yellow-green            shade and red stripes (RHS 155C, 12A to 1B, 178C).        -   Apical lobe.—Shape: Obdeltoid Color: White with yellow-green            shade (RHS 155C, 12A to 1B).        -   Callus.—Color: Orange with brown spots (RHS 23A, 172C).-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a            single, short structure called the column, possessing one            terminal anther with pollen grains united into pollinia,            which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located            under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior            with three carpels present.        -   Column.—Length: 8.0 mm to 9.0 mm Diameter: 5.0 mm to 6.0 mm            Color: White (RHS 155C).        -   Pollinia.—Quantity: 2 Size: 1.0 mm to 1.1 mm Color: Orange            (RHS 21B).        -   Ovary.—Length: 9.0 mm to 10.0 mm Diameter: 4.0 mm to 5.0 mm.        -   Pedicel.—Length: 28.0 mm to 32.0 mm Diameter: 2.0 mm to 3.0            mm.-   Disease, pest, and stress resistance: No specific resistance or    susceptibility observed-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of 15° C. and a    high temperature about 30° C.

Comparison with Commercial Varieties

Presently there is no commercial cultivar to which ‘PHALCUWIM’ can bemeaningfully compared.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Phalaenopsis plant named‘PHALCUWIM’ as shown and described herein.